Category Archives: Churches / Iglesias

La Capilla de San Andrés

La Capilla de San Andrés / The Chapel of San Andrés

La Capilla de San Andrés was the chapel and part of the second hospital to be built in the colonial city of Santo Domingo. It was the first charity hospital in the Dominican Republic.

La Capilla de San Andrés, La Capilla and Hospital Padre Billini.
La Capilla de San Andrés, La Capilla and Hospital Padre Billini.

The Chapel of San Andrés is built next to the Hospital Padre Billini, which originally was called Hospital de San Andrés, and the Iglesia Nuestra Señora del Carmen. All seem to blend together to almost form one structure. The use of brick as its major building material made this chapel a marvel of its time.

Entrance to the Capilla del Hospital de San Andrés
Entrance to the Capilla del Hospital de San Andrés

The wooden sculpture inside the chapel is very unique. Here, it is told, is the place where the people of Santo Domingo conspired and planned their revolt over the Haitian occupation in 1844.

The Capilla de San Andrés and the Capilla Padre Billini blended into the Hospital de la Beneficencia. This was the first charity hospital in the Dominican Republic, later known as Hospital San Andrés. We now know the hospital as Hospital Docente Padre Billini located on Calle Santomé in the Colonial Zone.

The entrance to the Capilla de San Andrés next to hospital Padre Billini
The entrance to the Capilla de San Andrés next to hospital Padre Billini

Interesting:
In 1586 the Chapel and the hospital were burned and looted by the privateer Francis Drake, after having been built 24 years earlier, in the year 1562.

Location:

From Calle el Conde turn south on Sanchez. Go 1 block to Calle Arzobispo Nouel. It is nestled between the Hospital Billini and Iglesia Nuestra Señora del Carmen.

Capilla de la Tercera Orden Dominica

Capilla de la Tercera Orden Dominica / Chapel of the Third Dominican Order

The Capilla de la Tercera Orden Dominica was constructed around 1514, originally part of the Iglesia y Convento de la Orden Dominica Entre la Capilla y la Iglesia, it is now home to Casa de la Juventud.

The front of the Capilla de la Tercera Orden Dominica
The front of the Capilla de la Tercera Orden Dominica

The Original Chapel

Constructed around 1514 this building was originally part of the Convento e Iglesia de los Padres Dominicos. It was the home of the Tercera Orden Dominica. The original building was first constructed of wood while the desired bricks and building materials were collected.

Interior of the Capilla de la Tercera Orden Dominica
Interior of the Capilla de la Tercera Orden Dominica

The First University In The New World

Eugenio María de Hostos founded the Escuela de Maestros Normalistas. The School of Normalist Teachers (for baccalaureate)was one of the great educational advances of the country. This university is part of the many “firsts” in Dominican Republic.

Side view of the Capilla de la Tercera Orden Dominica
Side view of the Capilla de la Tercera Orden Dominica

The chapel is topped with a bell tower and for decades was home to the municipal library.

The Capilla de la Tercera Orden Dominica
The Capilla de la Tercera Orden Dominica on Calle Padre Billini

Casa de la Juventud

The building is now home to the Casa de la Juventud / House of the Young Youth Ministry. The youth program is run by Father Luis Rosario and there are many youth and fun activities held here now.
The chapel is also a favorite spot for film makers to set up their home base.

Plaza Capilla de la Tercera Orden Dominica Panorama
Plaza Capilla de la Tercera Orden Dominica Panorama

There is a beautiful and peaceful garden behind the Chapel that is sometimes open where one can sit and relax.

Capilla de la Tercera Orden Dominica
Capilla de la Tercera Orden Dominica with the Iglesia de los Padres Dominicos in the distance.

Location:

Walking on Calle el Conde turn south on Hostos or Duarte. Go 2 blocks. In front of Parque Duarte on Calle Padre Billini is the Iglesia de los Padres Dominicos (left) and Chapel (right) with a small plaza separating them.

The back of the Capilla de la Tercera Orden Dominica at a small plaza at night
The back of the Capilla de la Tercera Orden Dominica at a small plaza at night

Chapel of the Rosary

La Capilla del Nuestra Señora del Rosario / The Chapel of Our Lady of the Rosary

Located on a cliff on the Eastern bank of the Ozama river in Villa Duarte, easily seen from the Plaza de España, the Capilla del Rosario is one of the first chapels of the New World.

Capilla Nuestra Señora del Rosario, one of the first chapels of the New World.
Capilla Nuestra Señora del Rosario, one of the first chapels of the New World.

Original Settlement of Santo Domingo

This small chapel was constructed on the original land where Bartholomew Columbus founded the Villa of Santo Domingo in 1498. This location was where the first colony was established. The chapel, built in 1544, was constructed of wood and beams gathered from the ships and straw. It was dedicated to La Virgen de la Gente de Mar / The Virgin of Seafarers (Sailors). In 1544 Father Fray Bartolome de Las Casas heard Mass here when he visited Santo Domingo, during his trip to Chiapas, where he had been appointed bishop.

The original settlement on this side of the river was abandoned when the water quality was found to be better on the other side of the Rio Ozama. The settlement was moved across the river to the city that is now Santo Domingo founded by Governor Frey Nicolas de Ovando.

La Capilla del Rosario as seen from Plaza Reloj de Sol
La Capilla del Rosario as seen from Plaza Reloj de Sol

This building was used as a military compound during the Haitian occupation. It was also used for smuggling during the 17th and 18th centuries.

Some of the original Taino Indians that adapted to the Spanish way of life lived in this area.

La Capilla del Rosario across Rio Ozama.
La Capilla del Rosario across Rio Ozama.

Much research and Archaeological studies have been done at this location. It was found that the limestone floors of the chapel are dated from the 15th century. Many Spanish potteries and a container for holy oils were also discovered at the site. Also, many skeletons were unearthed that were dated from many different eras.

Visiting

To visit this historical Chapel you must have written permission from the Tourism Department. The access road is the property of Los Molinos and they will not permit visitors without written permission.